DRYING OF POROUS MATERIALS AT LOW MOISTURE CONTENT

ABSTRACT

Drying experiments were conducted using packed beds of glass beads with initial moisture content near or slightly above the irreducible moisture content. The objective was to validate the vapor phase diffusion coefficient determined in earlier experiments and to quantify the effect of temperature gradient on vapor phase diffusion in the presence of irreducible saturation. The resulls indicate that for isothermal drying the enhancement factor, β, which is the ratio of the diffusion coefficient in the packed bed to that in free space, is slightly less than unity. This is consistent with previous results. However, the results for non-isothermal drying show little effect of temperature gradient for temperature gradients either assisting the concentration gradient or opposing the concentration gradient. This is contrary to the traditional thinking about enhanced vapor diffusion originally proposed by Philip and deVries (1957).     

EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE CONTENT OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

ABSTRACT

At the high drying rates now obtainable in high intensity drying; solids may reach quite high temperatures for very short drying times. Frequently the temperature stability of solids precludes measurement of their adsorption equilibrium moisture content at these elevated temperatures. A thermodynamic method is presented for calculating equilibrium moisture content at high temperature from measurements made at low temperature. The method, based on Gibbs surface excess free energy theory, involves no parameters requiring experimental measurement and eliminates the need for empirical extrapolations. Although demonstrated for three fibrous cellulosic materials, viscose yarn, cotton and kraft wood pulp, the procedure is applicable to any absorbent - water system. The examples show that the method is practical and convenient for application.     

EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE CONTENT OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

At the high drying rates now obtainable in high intensity drying; solids may reach quite high temperatures for very short drying times. Frequently the temperature stability of solids precludes measurement of their adsorption equilibrium moisture content at these elevated temperatures. A thermodynamic method is presented for calculating equilibrium moisture content at high temperature from measurements made at low temperature. The method, based on Gibbs surface excess free energy theory, involves no parameters requiring experimental measurement and eliminates the need for empirical extrapolations. Although demonstrated for three fibrous cellulosic materials, viscose yarn, cotton and kraft wood pulp, the procedure is applicable to any absorbent - water system. The examples show that the method is practical and convenient for application.     

CONVECTION HEAT TRANSEER COEFFICIENTS AT CONVECTIVE DRYING OF POROUS MATERIALS*

Our measurements proved that the convective heat transfer coefficient (h) has a larger value h_wet at the constant drying rate period and after that it falls down to a minimum one: h_dry in the equilibrium dried state (see Fig.1). Our measurements showed also that the heat of vaporisation in the last phase of the falling drying rate period is far greater than it was in the constant drying rate period (see Fig.10).

Our first measurements were made on a gypsum plate. Afterwards we carried out measurement research with fine glass powder and cement-perlite plate and determined h_wet and h_dry heat transfer coefficients as function of Reynolds number. All of these measurements confirmed our establishment that h_wet is far greater than h_dry.     

RADIATIVE DRYING MODEL OF POROUS MATERIALS

A transient one dimensional first principles model is developed for the drying of a porous material (paper) that includes both heat and mass transfer. All three modes of heat transfer are considered; conduction, convection and radiation. The conduction is assumed to be in one dimension, through the porous material. The convection is assumed to exist only at the surface as a boundary condition. The radiation is assumed to be a volumetric phenomenon, so that the material internally absorbs, emits, and scatters energy. The absorption and scattering coefficients are spectrally dependent. Furthermore, the material is considered to have a non-unity refractive index with diffuse surfaces. In the mass transfer it is assumed that water exists in three phases: bound, free and vapor. The results provide profiles within the material for each moisture phase, temperature, and pressure and the effect of radiation on these distributions.     

RADIATIVE DRYING MODEL OF POROUS MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

A transient one dimensional first principles model is developed for the drying of a porous material (paper) that includes both heat and mass transfer. All three modes of heat transfer are considered; conduction, convection and radiation. The conduction is assumed to be in one dimension, through the porous material. The convection is assumed to exist only at the surface as a boundary condition. The radiation is assumed to be a volumetric phenomenon, so that the material internally absorbs, emits, and scatters energy. The absorption and scattering coefficients are spectrally dependent. Furthermore, the material is considered to have a non-unity refractive index with diffuse surfaces. In the mass transfer it is assumed that water exists in three phases: bound, free and vapor. The results provide profiles within the material for each moisture phase, temperature, and pressure and the effect of radiation on these distributions.     

SHRINKAGE OF POROUS MATERIALS DURING MICROWAVE DRYING

The dissipation of electromagnetic energy inside a material creates a thermal imbalance state producing some reactions different from those observed through slow classic drying processes. Important drying rates obtained by microwave application can be understood by taking into account induced pressure gradients which greatly accelerate the thermomigration mechanism and thereby modify the physical properties of the product. The shrinkage of porous materials during the drying stage is very sensitive to the internal vapour pressure.The quality of such products depends on the shrinkage behaviour, and it is therefore interesting to study this phenomenon in order to control the characteristics of the product. This study is an experimental approach leading to a theoretical model describing the shrinkage mechanism. This model is developed from results obtained by a computer controlled measurement system allowing to regulate the drying kinetics.     

SHRINKAGE OF POROUS MATERIALS DURING MICROWAVE DRYING

The dissipation of electromagnetic energy inside a material creates a thermal imbalance state producing some reactions different from those observed through slow classic drying processes. Important drying rates obtained by microwave application can be understood by taking into account induced pressure gradients which greatly accelerate the thermomigration mechanism and thereby modify the physical properties of the product. The shrinkage of porous materials during the drying stage is very sensitive to the internal vapour pressure.The quality of such products depends on the shrinkage behaviour, and it is therefore interesting to study this phenomenon in order to control the characteristics of the product. This study is an experimental approach leading to a theoretical model describing the shrinkage mechanism. This model is developed from results obtained by a computer controlled measurement system allowing to regulate the drying kinetics.     

EFFECT OF INFRARED IRRADIATION ON DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF WET POROUS MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

We studied infrared drying characteristics of wet porous materials by comparison with the convective drying characteristics, and our attention was focused on the factors influencing their characteristics. By selecting three kinds of membrane filters, we examined the influences of the mean pore diameter and the spectral distribution of irradiation power as variables using a far-infrared heater and a near-infrared heater. The differences between the infrared and convective drying characteristics (drying rate, sample temperature, water content distribution) were experimentally obtained, and the influence of mean pore diameter of the sample on its drying characteristics was observed only in infrared drying but in convective drying. By measuring the diffuse transmittance of the membrane filter in consideration of the drying process, we deliberated that infrared radiation penetrating into the drying sample was absorbed directly by the water in the voids, and that the water vaporized there.     

胶体毛细管多孔薄层物料的干燥静力学

针对胶体毛细管多孔薄层物料干燥静力学问题,用非平衡热力学关联了多层吸附和毛细管凝聚现象,提出了新的数学模型,可在较宽的相对湿度范围内描述吸着等温线.当相对湿度较低时,本模型转化为BET公式.     

胶体毛细管多孔薄层物料的干燥静力学

针对胶体毛细管多孔薄层物料干燥静力学问题,用非平衡热力学关联了多层吸附和毛细管凝聚现象,提出了新的数学模型,可在较宽的相对湿度范围内描述吸着等温线.当相对湿度较低时,本模型转化为BET公式.     

GRAIN DRYING OPTIMISATION AT LOW TEMPERATURES

ABSTRACT

The optimisation of grain drying systems was studied through the dynamic programming technique focusing on the minimisation of the energy consumption, lakingin account the conservation of the product quality and avoiding excessive humidity gradients in the bed at the end stages of drying. An algorithm was developed, where the input data were the initial conditions of the product and the climate data of the region. The operational conditions considered were: fan on or off, and different degrees of air heating (1 to 5 °C). The result obtained was an optimised management strategy for the operation of the dryer, specified for each stage of the process, in two situations: calculated from the mean climate dam of ten years, and corrected day by day with up to date climate data.     

EFFECT OF DRYING METHODS ON MOISTURE SORPTION ISOTHERMS OF FUFU AT THREE TEMPERATURES

ABSTRACT

Moisture sorption characteristics for dried fufu using three drying methods at 25°C, 32°C and 45°C were determined experimentally for water activity ranging from 0.11 to 0.96. At a given temperature and water activity, the rotary dried fufu had the highest equilibrium moisture content while the sun dried had the lowest.

Four linear and four nonlinear sorption models were used to analyze the data. The linear GAB model showed the best fit while the nonlinear Bradley model was the best over the whole range of water activity in their respective groups. Also estimates of the net isosteric heats of sorption and their dependence on moisture content were presented for each product.     

EFFECT OF DRYING METHODS ON MOISTURE SORPTION ISOTHERMS OF FUFU AT THREE TEMPERATURES

Moisture sorption characteristics for dried fufu using three drying methods at 25°C, 32°C and 45°C were determined experimentally for water activity ranging from 0.11 to 0.96. At a given temperature and water activity, the rotary dried fufu had the highest equilibrium moisture content while the sun dried had the lowest.

Four linear and four nonlinear sorption models were used to analyze the data. The linear GAB model showed the best fit while the nonlinear Bradley model was the best over the whole range of water activity in their respective groups. Also estimates of the net isosteric heats of sorption and their dependence on moisture content were presented for each product.     

低温制备SiC多孔陶瓷及性能

采用SiC微粉为骨料,聚碳硅烷为粘结剂,混合后溶于THF中干燥过筛,经模压成型后于1000℃保护气氛下低温烧结制备SiC多孔陶瓷。运用XRD、SEM及孔隙率测定手段对陶瓷样品的物相结构、微观形貌及孔隙率进行研究,考察了不同聚碳硅烷含量对SiC多孔陶瓷抗弯强度、线收缩率及气孔率的影响。结果表明,随着聚碳硅烷含量的增加,SiC多孔陶瓷的线收缩率和失重比均增加,抗弯强度和显气孔率均先增加后下降,抗弯强度在聚碳硅烷含量为13%时达到最大值为58.45MPa,开口气孔率在PCS含量为5%时达到最大值为37.2%。     

EFFECT OF INITIAL MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE THIN LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZELNUTS DURING ROASTING

Effect of initial moisture content on the thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnuts during roasting was described for a temperature range of 100-160°C, using several thin layer equations. The effective diffusivity varied from 2.8×10^-7 to 21.5×10^-7m²/s over the temperature and moisture range. Temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient was described by Arrhenius-type relationship. The activation energy for moisture diffusion was found to be 2703 kJ/kg, 2289 kJ/kg and 2030 kJ/kg for the initial moisture content of 12.3% db, 6.14% db, and 2.41% db, respectively. Two-term equation gave better predictions than Henderson and Pabis and Thompson equations, and satisfactorily described thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnut roasting. A generalised mathematical model with the linear temperature dependence for moistured, non-treated and pre-dried hazelnuts were also developed.     

EFFECT OF INITIAL MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE THIN LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZELNUTS DURING ROASTING

ABSTRACT

Effect of initial moisture content on the thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnuts during roasting was described for a temperature range of 100-160°C, using several thin layer equations. The effective diffusivity varied from 2.8×10^?7 to 21.5×10^?7m²/s over the temperature and moisture range. Temperature dependence of the diffusivity coefficient was described by Arrhenius-type relationship. The activation energy for moisture diffusion was found to be 2703 kJ/kg, 2289 kJ/kg and 2030 kJ/kg for the initial moisture content of 12.3% db, 6.14% db, and 2.41% db, respectively. Two-term equation gave better predictions than Henderson and Pabis and Thompson equations, and satisfactorily described thin layer drying characteristics of hazelnut roasting. A generalised mathematical model with the linear temperature dependence for moistured, non-treated and pre-dried hazelnuts were also developed.     

THIN-LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF ROUGH RICE AT LOW AND HIGH TEMPERATURES

Abstract

Thin-layer drying characteristics of rough rice were determined at temperature ranging from 11.8 to 51 °C and for relative humidities ranging from 37.1% to 91.3%, with initial moisture contents in the range of 24.7 to 41.6% dry basis. An oven, a self contain air conditioning unit, recently developed in Japan, was used for this experiments. With this apparatus, very smooth drying curves were obtained. The data of sample weight, and dry and wet bulb temperatures of the drying air were recorded continuously throughout the drying period for each test. The drying process was terminated when the moisture content change in 24 h was less than 0.2 % d.b. (weight change was less than 0.05 g). The final points were recorded as the dynamic equilibrium moisture contents.

The drying data were than fitted to the Page model. The model gave a very good fit for the moisture content with an average standard error of 0.294 % d.b? Both the drying parameters, K and N, are function of drying air temperature and relative humidity. The effect of variable initial moisture content was also described effectively by the empirical Page model. The drying time employed had a large effect on the K and N values. The results presented here, over typically 5 day drying, will be useful in the long term moisture transfer process occurring during ventilated storage.     

THIN-LAYER DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF ROUGH RICE AT LOW AND HIGH TEMPERATURES

Thin-layer drying characteristics of rough rice were determined at temperature ranging from 11.8 to 51 °C and for relative humidities ranging from 37.1% to 91.3%, with initial moisture contents in the range of 24.7 to 41.6% dry basis. An oven, a self contain air conditioning unit, recently developed in Japan, was used for this experiments. With this apparatus, very smooth drying curves were obtained. The data of sample weight, and dry and wet bulb temperatures of the drying air were recorded continuously throughout the drying period for each test. The drying process was terminated when the moisture content change in 24 h was less than 0.2 % d.b. (weight change was less than 0.05 g). The final points were recorded as the dynamic equilibrium moisture contents.

The drying data were than fitted to the Page model. The model gave a very good fit for the moisture content with an average standard error of 0.294 % d.b¨ Both the drying parameters, K and N, are function of drying air temperature and relative humidity. The effect of variable initial moisture content was also described effectively by the empirical Page model. The drying time employed had a large effect on the K and N values. The results presented here, over typically 5 day drying, will be useful in the long term moisture transfer process occurring during ventilated storage.     

DRYING OF HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT PADDY IN A PILOT SCALE TRIANGULAR SPOUTED BED DRYER

From the successful drying of paddy in a lab-scale triangular spouted bed (TSB), a pilot scale unit with a capacity of 500kg/batch was constructed and used to dry paddy of high moisture contents. The drying tests showed that air temperatures of up to 160°C in the first stage, followed by a lower temperature of 80-100°C in the second stage, can be used to dry paddy from more than 25% down to around 15% (w.b.) without significantly changing grain quality in terms of head rice recovery. Moisture distribution in the pilot-scale TSB was observed to be satisfactorily uniform.